Mavs split games at Allen Classic

IOLA, Kansas -- The Northern Oklahoma College Mavericks split two games in the Allen County Classic in Iola, Kansas, in the season opener.

NOC (1-1) dropped the opener 77-68 to host Allen and then rebounded Saturday with a 66-60 win over Metropolitan Community College.

"This weekend was a good learning experience for us," said head coach Donnie Jackson.  "We faced some adversity and I'm hoping it brings our guys together.  No matter where you go winning on the road is tough."

"There are good teaching points from both games," he added.  "The eye in the sky doesn't lie and film will be important for us to make improvements.  I'm looking forward to our home opener on Tuesday (Oklahoma Wesleyan JV, 7:30 p.m)."

Allen County 77, Mavs 68

Allen County jumped out to a 41-23 halftime lead and held off NOC 77-68.

The Mavs cut the Allen County lead to five in the second half before falling by 11.

"We dug ourselves too big a hole," Jackson said.  "But I am proud of the fight to get ourselves back in the game."

Trevion Lamar led the Mavs with 17 while Deon Berrien added 14 and Demaree King 11.

Lamar and Berrien had seven rebounds each.  Lamar added four steals and Berrien three for the Mavs.

Mavs 67, Metropolitan Community College 60

Keiodre Perry had 22 points and Demaree King added 15 in a 77-70 win over Metropolitan Community College Saturday afternoon.

The Mavs led Metro 36-26 at half and held off Metro winning by seven.

"Our game Saturday was the opposite as Friday," Jackson said.  "We got off to a good start and built an 18 point lead, then made some unforced turnovers that kept them in the game."

Deaveon Bankston also reached double figures with 10.

King had seven rebounds and three assists while Omar Boone had four steals.

Allen County 77, Mavs 68

            1     2—Total

Mavs    23   45--  68

Allen    41   36--  77

NOC—T. Lamar 17, D. Berrien 14, D. King 11, O. Boone 7, D. Bankston 6, K. Perry 5, M. Downing 3, M. Lee 2, E. Stone 2, K. Austin-Johnson 1.

Mavs 77, Metropolitan 70

           1    2—Total

Mavs   36  41--  77

Metro 26   44—70

NOC—K. Perry 22, D. King 15, D. Bankston 10, D. Berrien 8, O. Boone 7, T. Lamar 6, E. Stone 5, M. Downing 2, M. Lee 2.